He called Merritt a "ruthless mass murderer.". A license plate search for the vehicle led to the discovery that the McStay's SUV had been towed from a parking lot near San Ysidro, California, right near the U.S.-Mexico border, on February 8, 2010, four days after they went missing. The McStays' skeletal remains were unearthed along with a three-pound rusted sledgehammer believed to be the murder weapon a bra and a child's pants and diaper. PEOPLE Explains: How the McStay Family Disappeared Into the - Yahoo! [27], Prosecutors allege that Merritt had a gambling problem and killed the McStay family for financial gain. Judge just denied defense motion to reduce potential sentence to life in prison (Judge will also consider death). McStay family murder case: Man sentenced to death for killing family of 4 The impression I get is that Summer would use her sexuality to get attention and get what she wanted. No one can explain how a seemingly normal suburban family who only moved into their new home in Fallbrook, California, three months earlier, could be living a regular life one day and then vanish the next. I dont remember bouncing a check, she said. [10], Over the next several days, relatives of the McStays unsuccessfully tried to contact the family. For years, police speculated they. A lot of his close friends did not trust her and thought she treated him very badly. Never again will we hear their voices. #mcstay #nbc7 pic.twitter.com/CGQmypfaZb. De Atley is a Cal State Long Beach graduate with a double major in journalism and political science. After Joseph, along with his wife and kids, suddenly went missing in February 2010, the authorities didn't have many leads. The fountain designer has always been seen as a key player in the mystery as he was one of Josephs closest friends and his most trusted business associate. She would shout at him in the privacy of their own home, but then put on a front like he was the most important person in the world when they were in public. He asked for funds to keep the business going, and at that time I would do anything to help my son probably not in my right mind anyway at that time, she said. He said: Summer was a very self-centered, self-obsessed person with an awful temper. I have been in complete denial about having schizophrenia for the last few years. The book will be released later this year. She talked about how the slayings of her son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons have destroyed her family. The McStay family murders occurred on or near February 4, 2010, after the family disappeared from their home in Fallbrook, California, United States; their bodies were found in the desert near Victorville, California, on November 13, 2013. Homicide investigators search the family's home on Avocado Vista Lane and found no sign of a struggle. 'As a mother, you're going to do absolutely anything and everything you can to find them,' she explained. The clip appeared to show a family of four crossing the border into Mexico -- a family that looked like they could have been the McStays. Joseph and Summer McStay were found buried in shallow desert graves along with their two young sons nearly four years after they vanished from their suburban California home (San Bernardino. This world was robbed of four beautiful souls. Basically, she wouldnt let him near her. We dont run this circus. [2][7] The deaths were ruled a homicide and San Bernardino County authorities said they believed the family died of blunt force trauma inside their home, but declined to discuss specifics of the deaths or a motive. #mcstay #nbc7 https://t.co/xNxV3CqRtr. Richard K. De Atley has been a journalist since 1975, for City News Service in Los Angeles, The Associated Press in Los Angeles and New York, and The Press-Enterprise in Riverside. He was the last known person to see Joseph alive, during an hour-and-a-half long meeting in Rancho Cucamonga, California just hours before the family vanished into thin air. The attorney stopped Merritt, saying, "You can't.". Published: 23:50 GMT, 22 January 2021 | Updated: 23:58 GMT, 22 January 2021. In 2010, Joseph McStay (age 40), and his wife Summer (age 43), lived in Fallbrook, California, with their sons Gianni (age 4) and Joseph Jr. (age 3). McStay family went missing nearly three years ago Surveillance video shows four people of similar size crossing into Mexico Relatives dispute author's claim that wife was involved in. In the summer of 2021, shocking news rocked the state of South Carolina. In October 2009, Joseph McStay excitedly e-mailed a friend about the house he and his wife had purchased in the San Diego suburb of Fallbrook, Calif. Mike crawled through a window and discovered food rotting in the kitchen, and Summer's prescription sunglasses were also left on the table. There were no signs of forced entry or any foul play, which baffled investigators and suggested the family left on their own accord. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts. Tony Shin reports for NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2019. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. [1][2] Their disappearance was widely reported by the national news media. McStay family murders - Wikipedia Will Payne [15] Baker began following the case in 2013 after interviewing Michael McStay on his program. He was sentenced to the death penalty for the slayings of Joseph McStay's wife, Summer McStay, 43, and the couple's two sons, Gianni McStay, 4, and Joseph McStay, Jr., 3. You just do what you can for your son, and your family, she said. ', Gruesome: The McStays' skeletal remains were unearthed along with a three-pound rusted sledgehammer believed to be the murder weapon, Crime: Charles 'Chase' Merritt, who was a partner in Joseph's water-fountain business, was arrested for the murders in 2014 and found guilty in 2019 (pictured), Criminal: In January 2020, Merritt was sentenced to death for bludgeoning the couple and their children to death inside their home because he owed them $30,000. I'm so bummed out after realising my diagnosis made a few years ago is legitimate. Jurors in San Bernardino. Joseph McStay, 40, and his wife, Summer, 43, disappeared along with their two children, Gianna, 4, and Joseph, 3, from their their serene San Diego-area community more than a month ago. Where is Joseph McStay's Business Associate 'Dan - SpikyTV Gov. In a preview clip from the episode about the McStay family, Patrick recalled speaking to his son in the morning on the day they disappeared. Indian lodge motel in joseph oregon | | I'm so bummed out after You cannot get back time. After 4 Years Of Investigation, Authorities Say McStay - HuffPost she said. [5], In 2010, Joseph McStay (age 40) and his wife Summer (age 43) lived in Fallbrook, California, with their sons Gianni (age 4) and Joseph Jr. (age 3). Every time you hear a sound in prison or in a movie similar to the sounds you made that day when you murdered this family, I hope it rings loud in your ears. Joseph McStay; his wife, Summer; and their two children, Gianni and Joseph Mateo, have not been heard from since the night of Thursday, February 4, 2010. The family disappeared without a trace in February 2010. Smith ordered Merritt transferred to San Quentin State Prison until an execution date is scheduled. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Patrick McStay, Joseph's father, was informed of the discovery and phoned missing person advocate Jerrie Dean to tell her what he knew. After frustrating delays in proceedings in a Southern California courtroom last week, an emotional sentencing hearing resumed Tuesday for the man convicted in the mysterious killings of the McStay family, including two boys, ages 3 and 4. Joseph McStay, his wife Summer, and the couple's two young sons mysteriously disappeared in Feb. 2010. Merritt who was once a person of interest in the familys 2010 disappearance claims some of Josephs friends started telling him to be careful around Summer, 43. The McStays' disappearance from their serene San Diego-area community of Bonsall has since prompted an investigation by police who still have no idea what happened. Im heading to San Bernardino and will keep you updated. 'It's like they went poof,' Susan recalled. NBC 7 was once again inside the courtroom Tuesday. Sentencing set Friday for man convicted of killing McStay family The next week, deputies released a video of a group of people similar to the McStay family entering Mexico hand in hand through the pedestrian gate around 7 p.m. on February 8, 2010, the same day their vehicle was towed. In late November 2009, the family moved to Fallbrook, California, for a fresh start in a peaceful and friendly neighborhood. Charles "Chase" Merritt, 62, was convicted in June of killing his former business associate Joseph McStay, 40, McStay's wife, Summer, 43, and their two children, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr.,. When their remains were unearthed, investigators also found a rusty sledgehammer that they said was used to kill the family. He told me when they had first got together they had a great sex life, but she just lost interest. (File photo by Peter Surowski, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG), In this file photo, Michael McStay, the brother of Joseph McStay and his mother Susan Blake enter the court through the throng of media before the start of the preliminary hearing on Monday, June 15, 2015 for Charles Merritt in the 2010 slayings of four McStay family members in Fallbrook. #nbc7 pic.twitter.com/usvvTgHitl. It cant be, Susan Blake testified after she regained herself. Missing McStay Family Members Found In Shallow Grave Joseph McStay - the father of the family of four found dead in the California desert after vanishing nearly four years ago - had suspicions his wife was POISONING him in the days before their . He conducted dozens of interviews on the case (traveling to Mexico, Belize, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic), followed leads, and reported sightings of the family. "From Day One, I just had this gut feeling that I was never going to see them again," he said, swallowing tears. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Merritt was supposed to be sentenced last Friday, Jan. 17, but dramatic twists, turns, and delays prevented that from happening as planned. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. It would take years for investigators to discover the family's grisly fate. McStay Family Murders Case Timeline: What To Know | Crime News That family that went missing? But when Rodriguez questioned her Tuesday, Blake said, Thats what was said, but I dont know for sure.. Michael McStay's wife spoke next, talking about the pain her family and husband live with every single day. Disappeared examines the case of the McStay family who vanished from their Southern California home and may have headed into Mexico. Susan explained that her son and daughter-in-law would often go on 'little mini-trips' with their kids in California, so they weren't alarmed at first. After three years of searching, the San Diego Sheriff's Department investigators concluded in April 2013 that the McStay family had gone to Mexico voluntarily. "I want to psychologically mess you up," he said to Merritt. Merritt said the people responsible for the slayings are still free. He would try to ignore it at first, but she would call and call and eventually he would have to go off and deal with whatever drama there was. He was a big part of my life and my familys life. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. What lack of sleep REALLY does to your face: Expert reveals the warning signs your skin is suffering, My Daily Horoscope: What does March 2nd hold for MY star sign? called the investigation into his son's disappearance . Joseph's father, Patrick McStay, told the Los Angeles Times in 2011. Obviously that was a real problem for Joseph and he used to talk to me about it regularly. On Monday, more than four years since his arrest in connection with the slayings, the family's accused killer, Charles "Chase" Merritt, is scheduled to go on trial on murder charges in San. He was such a great guy and he got his share of female attention. Maline spent several hours speaking before the judge. He played a portion of "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum in court, saying he was making good on a promise he made to Summer McStay many years ago. He was visibly shaken, fighting back tears. Summers ex husband made good on a promise the two made years ago and just played a portion of Norman Greenbaums Spirit in the Sky. As a precaution, investigators took DNA samples from the car, but there was still no evidence of foul play. His face was stoic. At that time, no one knew what happened to the family. The bodies were identified asJoseph, Summer, Joseph Mateo, and Gianani McStay. A decade after the family went missing, their killer was sentenced to death in January 202. Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their sons Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, vanished from their home inFallbrook, California, on February 4, 2010. Summers sister: My sister walked with a passion and purpose. "It's not just a Netflix documentary to us. Chase Merritt sobs and says I did not do this thing. Chase, you are a low-life coward and a baby killer. Situated in northern San Diego County, the community is known as "The Friendly Village." Sadly, disaster would soon strike the tranquil town. Merritt was convicted in June 2019 of the murders of his former business associate Joseph McStay, McStay's wife Summer, and their 4- and 3-year-old sons, Gianni and Joseph Jr. (Irfan. Crosses Erected for McStays at Site Where Remains Were Found But the details of this case go back decades and has many twists and turns. His mother Susan Blake gave an interview to Myvalleynews.com six weeks after her sons disappearance, where she said she was very concerned about his health. Defense attorney Rajan Maline produced a check to Merritt for $3,300 that was issued in April 2010 and signed by Blake, not on her personnel account, but on an account for Earthinspiredproducts.com. The McStay family disappeared from their San Diego County home in 2010. A year later,Charles 'Chase' Merritt, who was a partner in Joseph's water-fountain business, was arrested for bludgeoning the married couple and their children to death inside their home in Fallbrook because he owed them $30,000. [17] Other critics of the theory noted that the McStays had more than $100,000 in bank accounts, with no withdrawal of funds in preparation for a trip, and their accounts were untouched after their disappearance. Alex Murdaugh Is Guilty Of Murder! The Tragic Rise and Fall Of The I would never raise my hand to a woman or a child.". I did not do this thing.. How scared were they, Chase? And when we were out she would call him constantly. The back of the check said endorsement cancelled, he pointed out. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline Merritt who worked with Joseph in his fountain business - said: I was extremely close to Joseph. NBC 7's Jackie Crea has more. Note:A previous version of this story misidentified the prosecutor who questioned Michael McStay. If I want to speak with him, I have to go to a gravesite," Michael McStay added. Sheriffs investigators believeSummer McStay may have been rapedbefore she was killed. Unsealed warrants: Chase Merritt owed Joseph McStay $30k According to prosecutors, greed was the motive for the killings and Merritt killed the McStays because he had been embezzling thousands of dollars from Joseph McStay's business. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Ukraine soldiers shoot down enemy drones with drones of their own, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts. "I loved Joseph. He always said, "I have messed up one family before, I will not be unfaithful and ruin another one". Michael McStay said watching his parents bury his brother was the most "unnatural" thing he could've ever witnessed. Charles Chase Merritt, l'associ du pre de famille retrouv mort avec femme et . The Latest: ID of family's killer contested in murder trial Susan said they would stop in little towns that had just a gas station and a grocery store to post flyers. We used to speak to each other 10 or 12 times almost every day and we would talk about absolutely everything. Sorry because he was worth it, he told Imes. 'Some rough places, but you have had somebody stab me, it doesn't matter,' she noted. Blakes testimony came during the second day in the capital murder trial of Charles Chase Merrit, 61, of Rancho Cucamonga. Merritt looked at Blake as she spoke.
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